Apparatus and method for collection of debris

ABSTRACT

A leaf collection apparatus and method whereby leaves are vacuumed into a collector in a manner to reduce dust spread to the area around the equipment and on the equipment operators. Leaves are discharged by a vacuum device into a collector and retained by screened internal walls. Fine leaf particulate passes through the screens and is directed through the floor to the ground under the collector where the particulate accumulates to facilitate collection. Reusable dust bags may be placed under the floor of the discharge path to collect the particulate matter as it is exhausted through openings in the floor. A fluid spray may be injected into the discharge of the vacuum collection device to wet the leaf particulate and facilitate settling within the collection box.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for vacuum collection of debris, such as leaves. In particular, this invention relates to a collector which maintains cleanliness in the area surrounding the device by controlling the discharge of fine particulate exhaust.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Heretofore, vacuum leaf collection equipment has been manufactured and known in the art. Traditional designs of vacuum leaf collectors/loaders employ a large-diameter impeller, driven from a large gas or diesel engine. The impeller pulls a large volume of air through a vacuum hose or other attachment used to collect leaves. The leaves that travel through the impeller are reduced in size and broken apart, many pulverized into very small particles. Leaves are exhausted from the leaf collector into a leaf collector box.

[0004] Collector boxes have been designed with enclosed sides and a screened roof. The screened roof retains the leaves within the collector box, but lets air escape through the screening. Due to the large volume of exhausting air, fine leaf particles are also entrained in the air and pass through the screening. These particles go into the atmosphere above the leaf collector box, creating clouds of dust and particles that fall on operators, equipment, and parked cars. Depending on wind conditions, the dust may be carried to surrounding houses and other property in the area. The resulting operation is very dirty, especially if the leaves are dry and brittle. Operators sometimes will wear dust masks, hoods, and eye protection against the dust. None of the related devices have adequately addressed this problem. No invention to date has solved the problem of dirty exhaust from leaf collectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained. The present invention relates to a vacuum apparatus and method for collecting debris, such as leaves, litter, grass clippings, and other types of yard waste, in a way that minimizes exhaust of fine particulate debris and leaf matter, maintains cleanliness of the area in the vicinity of the operating equipment, and improves the cleanliness condition for the workers who operate the equipment.

[0006] A first general aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for collection of debris comprising a vacuum device; a collector operatively attached to the vacuum device; and a discharge opening positioned on one of a bottom and a side of the collector.

[0007] A second general aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for collection of debris comprising a vacuum device; an airstream for carrying debris from the vacuum device; a tank of fluid; at least one inlet for injecting a fluid from said tank of fluid onto said debris within the airstream; and a collector operatively attached to receive said airstream.

[0008] A third general aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for the collection of leaves and fine leaf particulate comprising a vacuum device for vacuuming said leaves into an airstream; a collector operatively attached to the vacuum device through a discharge chute; a fluid injection system for wetting the leaves and fine leaf particulate within said discharge chute; a filter separating the collector into a first volume and a second volume; two screened walls forming said filter wherein each screened wall is located parallel to and inboard a sidewall of the collector and further each screened wall runs vertically from the floor to the solid roof and horizontally from the forward wall to the rear wall; a lower wall section of solid construction comprising approximately the lower one-third of the screened wall; an upper wall section of screen mesh comprising the upper two-thirds of the screened wall; and a plurality of openings in the floor of the collector beneath the second volume.

[0009] A fourth general aspect of the invention comprises a method for collection of debris comprising partitioning, with a filter, a collector into a first volume and a second volume; vacuuming the debris with a vacuum device into an airstream; discharging the airstream containing the debris into the first volume of the collector; collecting the debris due to gravity and impingement within the first volume of the collector; filtering the debris from the airstream with the filter further causing the debris to collect within the first volume of the collector; and exhausting the filtered air stream through at least one opening in a side or bottom surface of the second volume.

[0010] A fifth general aspect of the invention comprises a method for containing the residual debris of a filtered air stream from a collector comprising locating at least one exhaust path from the collector on least one of the floor or side of the collector to direct said filtered air stream to a particulate collection device for the residual debris; positioning a removably attachable particulate collection device proximate to said exhaust path from the collector; collecting said residual debris in said particulate collection device during intake and collection of said debris; and emptying and replacing said containment device when full with said residual debris.

[0011] A sixth general aspect of the invention further comprises a method for collection of debris comprising vacuuming the debris with a vacuum device into an airstream; storing a fluid in a tank; injecting the fluid from said tank to wet a fine particulate debris within the airstream; discharging said debris into a collector; collecting said debris within said collector; and further collecting said fine particulate debris by gravity and by impingement within said collector.

[0012] These and other aspects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, where like parts are designated by like reference characters throughout the drawings, disclose embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a vacuum leaf collection apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 illustrates a top sectional view of an embodiment of the collector in accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 illustrates a top sectional view at floor level of the collector in accordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 illustrates a side sectional view of the collector showing the screened wall and support members within a collector in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view an alternate embodiment of a vacuum leaf collection apparatus including mounting of a dust collection bag system in the exhaust air discharge path beneath the collector in accordance with the present invention; and

[0018]FIG. 6 illustrates the mounting of a fluid tank, pump, piping, and spray inlets for injection of a fluid into the discharge of a vacuum device for a leaf collection apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of consulting components, the material thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of an embodiment. Although the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a leaf collection apparatus, hereinafter referred to as 10 is shown, which may include a vacuum device 15, a discharge device 20, and a collector 55. The vacuum device 15 may be an apparatus such as fan, vacuum pump, or large diameter impeller. The vacuum device 15, the discharge device 20, and the collector 55 may be mounted on a trailer, such as trailer 45. The apparatus 10 may also be mounted on a cab and chassis (not shown). Several alternative embodiments may exist whereby the collector 55 may be permanently mounted on its own trailer 45 or may be chassis mounted (not shown).

[0021] The vacuum device 15 may include a large diameter impeller 35 contained within an impeller housing 40. Rotation of the impeller 35 establishes suction on the intake side of the impeller housing 40. A suction hose 30 or similar conduit directs debris, such as leaves, collected off the ground by a suction head 25 to the impeller 35. Any suitable type of drive device, such as a gasoline or diesel engine (not shown), may be coupled to and power the impeller 35. Debris and leaves are sucked off the ground into an airstream 17 created by the vacuum device 15. The airstream 17 within the various figures will be represented by double arrows. The debris and leaves within the airstream 17 passing through the impeller housing 40 may be chopped up by action of the impeller 35 thereby creating, in part, small particles of debris, leaf sections and fine particulate of leaf dust. Whole leaves, leaf sections, and leaf dust are discharged from the impeller housing 40 and carried within the airstream 17 through the discharge device 20 comprising many possible chute or tube arrangements to convey the leaves to the collector 55. One embodiment utilizes a path from the impeller housing 40 through a discharge chute 50, which is flexible and extended, directly discharging into the collector 55. A rubber boot-type sealing device 70 or other similar seal prevents leakage of fine leaf particulate to the ambient air outside, at the juncture of the impeller housing 40 and the discharge chute 50.

[0022] Referring again to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the collector 55 is a rectangular box of steel construction with substantially solid walls. The collector has sides, a top, and a bottom. The sides are defined by both a front and rear, and the two sidewalls. The forward wall 75, or front, of collector 55, closest to the vacuum device 15, is penetrated by the discharge chute 50 to accept leaf discharge. The top surface, or top, of the collector 55 is a solid roof 80 that prevents exhaust of fine leaf particulate to the outside atmosphere above collector 55. The rear surface, or rear, of the collector 55 is of substantially solid construction, consisting of a hinged rear door 85 pivoting on hinges 90. Sidewalls 95 and a floor 100, or bottom, are also of substantially solid construction. Wall support members 105 may be provided to provide structural strength to the forward wall 75, the hinged rear door 85, the sidewalls 95, and the solid roof 80 to contain the debris load or the air pressure that builds up within collector 55. Floor support members 107 provide support from below for the floor 100 and the overall weight of the collector 55. The collector 55 may be disposed on the trailer 45 with a dumping mechanism, such as a hydraulic lift, (not shown) that raises and lowers the forward end of collector 55 such that the leaf contents empty, by gravity, through hinged rear door 85.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, which shows a top sectional view of the collector 55, one alternative embodiment may include a receiving chute 50. The receiving chute 50 is mounted to the collector 55 such that the exhaust end of the receiver chute 50 penetrates the collector 55. Again referring to FIG. 2, the internal volume of the collector 55 is divided into a first volume 60 and a second volume 65 by screened walls 115. The screened walls 115 may comprise various configurations internal to collector 55. In one embodiment, the screened walls 115 may extend the length of the collector 55 from the forward wall 75 to the hinged rear door 85. Vertically, the screened walls 115 may extend from the floor 100 to the solid roof 80. One screened wall 115 may be located inboard of and parallel to each sidewall 95, separated from the sidewall 95 by the wall support members 105. The first volume 60 is the main space of collector 55, bounded by the solid roof 80, the floor 100, the forward wall 75, the hinged rear door 85 and the screened walls 115. The second volume 65 of the collector 55 includes all of the individual spaces between the screened walls 115 and sidewalls 95 and bounded by the solid roof 80 above, the floor 100 below, and separated from each other by the wall support members 105.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, the floor 100 forms the bottom surface of collector 55 between the screened walls 115, the forward wall 75, and the rear hinged door 85. The floor openings 110 provide a path to exhaust the filtered airstream 17 from the second volume 65 of the collector 55.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, the screened walls 115 may include a lower wall section 120 of substantially solid material construction, such as steel, and an upper wall section 125 that includes a screen mesh 130. The lower wall section 120 includes approximately one-third of the height of the collector 55 and the upper wall section 125 includes the remaining approximately two-thirds of the height. The screen mesh 130 of upper wall section 125 has openings in the mesh sized to retain large leaf sections within the first volume 60 of the collector 55, but to allow fine leaf particulate and leaf dust in the airstream 17 to pass through to the second volume 65 without clogging. The lower wall section 120 provides structural strength to the screened wall 115 in order to support the leaves that accumulate in the first volume 60 and also to hold any force that builds up as a result of pressure drop across the screened walls 115. Wall support members 105 provide backing support for the screen mesh 130. Depending on the specific opening size of the screen mesh 130, additional support to the screen mesh 130 may be provided by screen support members 133 operatively attached between wall support members 105.

[0026] Debris and leaves carried within the airstream 17 exiting from vacuum device 15 pass through discharge device 20 into collector 55. The larger and heavier pieces of debris and leaves drop to the floor 100 of collector 55 by gravity directly or after colliding with the forward wall 75, solid roof 80, hinged rear door 85, or the screened walls 115 of the collector 55, losing energy in the collision and then falling to the floor 100. The screened walls 115 act as a filter, retaining the larger pieces of debris and leaves exhausted from discharge device 20 into collector 55 within the first volume 60, but permitting some fine debris, fine leaf particulate, and dust within the airstream to pass through to the second volume 65, along with the airstream 17. After the airstream 17 passes through the screen mesh 130 of upper wall section 125, the airstream hits the sidewalls 95 and is forced down to a plurality of floor cutouts 110 in the floor 100 of collector 55. Fine debris, fine leaf particulate and dust that passes through the floor cutouts 110 exhausts downward below the collector 55. An alternative arrangement may permit the airstream 17 exhaust from the collector 55 through various openings (not shown) on the sidewalls 95 of the collector 55 or in other portions of the sides of the collector 15.

[0027] The floor 100 of the collector 55 is substantially solid with structural support provided by a plurality of floor supports members 107 located below. Exhaust paths for leaf particulate and airstream 17 from the second volume 65 are provided through floor cutouts 110 of the floor surface between screened walls 115 and sidewalls 95 and between adjacent floor support members 107. The airstream 17 entraining fine leaf particulate, exhausting through floor cutouts 110, is directed downward to the ground directly beneath the collector 55. Leaf particulate falls towards the ground and thus will tend to collect at the ground location, or immediate vicinity, where it hits or falls rather than rising and going in the atmosphere. Because the leaf particulate is not exhausted through the solid roof 80 to the airspace well above the ground, drift of the leaf particulate is minimized and the amount of dust falling on surrounding areas is limited. Exhaust of the airstream from beneath the collector 55 will also be below the head and face of the operators. Exhaust at a lower height and less drift of particulate also provides a cleaner work environment for the operators and lessens the need for hoods and other protective equipment. The settling of leaf particulate in a relatively limited area under and around the leaf collector apparatus 10 makes it easier for the operators of the equipment to clean the area after leaf collection is complete.

[0028] An alternate embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5 may further include one or more particulate collection devices mounted beneath the collector 55. The airstream 17 entraining leaf particulate from second volume 65 of collector 55 is exhausted in a downward direction through floor cutouts 115. The exhaust air hits the particulate collection devices and the entrained leaf particulate will tend to fall out. The airstream 17 is exhausted from openings in the particulate collection device 134 to the ground below. The particulate collection devices may be removably attached to the collector 55 with bolting, screwing, hanging on hooks and other suitable means to permit removal for emptying or maintenance, and subsequent restoration or replacement. In one embodiment, the particulate collection devices may be dust bags 135. The airstream 17 passes out of the collection device 134 to the ground below where leaf particulate will further tend to drop out. The collection devices enhance cleanliness by: 1) reducing the leaf particulate drifting surrounding the leaf collecting apparatus, 2) reducing the dust reaching the operators, and 3) minimizing the need for cleanup after leaf collection.

[0029] With a traditional design, (i.e., an impeller driven from engine exhausting large volumes of air) dry leaves create much more dust than do leaves that are wet from rain. However, wet leaves are heavier than dry leaves. Wet leaves are more difficult to vacuum off the ground and put more load on the impeller 35 and the engine (not shown) due to their greater weight. Wet leaves will also stick to the impeller 35 and the inside of the impeller housing 40. Collection of wet leaves improves the environmental conditions surrounding the leaf loader, but can slow down the collection process. Injecting a fluid into the discharge air and coating the leaves and debris with fluid after they have passed through the impeller 35 results in dust control without loading the impeller 35 and engine (not shown) with the extra weight of wet leaves and without fouling the suction hose 30.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, a further embodiment of the invention may additionally mount a fluid injection apparatus 200 on the leaf collection apparatus 10. The fluid injection apparatus 200 includes a tank of fluid 220, a fluid pump 225, a hose 230, and at least one inlet 240. In one embodiment, a plurality of inlets 240 may be operatively attached to the discharge chute 50 with a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the airstream 17 between the impeller housing 40 and the collector 55. The inlets 240 may be comprised of nozzles, injectors, orifices, or other devices capable of injecting the fluid in the form of a spray that can evenly wet the fine particulate matter entrained in the airstream 17. The symmetrical arrangement of the inlets 240 around the airstream 17 of discharge device 20 provides for uniform wetting of the fine particulate matter in the airstream 17.

[0031] The fluid spray from the inlets 240 may be applied to the leaves as they pass through the discharge device 20. The fluid-coated leaf particles become heavy and tend to drop out more effectively in collector 55. Any fluid that is sprayable, that will coat the fine debris particulate, and that is environmentally benign may be employed. In one embodiment, inlets 240 are mounted on the discharge chute 50. The discharge chute 50 is a relatively short, straight, and wide duct, through which the airstream 17 discharged by impeller housing 40 passes quickly. Time for dropout of the leaf particles in the discharge chute 50 is limited and fouling of the discharge chute 50 internal surface is minimized. In a further embodiment, it will also be possible to provide the inlets 240 for fluid spray within the collector 55. The hose 230 conducts the fluid from the tank of fluid 210 to the fluid pump 220 and from fluid pump 220 to inlets 240. Fluid spray is initiated during vacuuming operation and secured when the vacuuming is stopped. The invention may use water as an economical, effective, and environmentally benign fluid for the fluid injection apparatus 200.

[0032] The fluid spray may also be used on leaf collection machines that are exhausting leaves into traditional leaf collection boxes with screened roofs. The fluid injection apparatus 200, used with the traditional collector, will also improve the working environment around the collector.

[0033] Various modifications and variations of the described apparatus and methods of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, outlined above, it should be understood that the invention should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for collection of debris comprising: a vacuum device; a collector operatively attached to the vacuum device; and a discharge opening positioned on one of a bottom and a side of the collector.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereby the collector further comprises: a first volume; a second volume; and a filter between said first volume and said second volume.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 whereby: the vacuum device discharges an airstream containing the debris into the first volume; the debris selectively settles from the airstream by gravity and impingement within the first volume; the airstream passes through the filter further collecting the debris in the collector; the airstream passes into the second volume; and the airstream is exhausted from the second volume to the atmosphere from said one of a bottom and a side of the second volume.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 whereby the filter comprises a screened wall that includes suitable screen opening size to contain debris that has been vacuumed and discharged by the vacuum device into the first volume of the collector while permitting the airstream containing a fine debris particulate to pass into the second volume of the collector.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 whereby a screened wall is disposed on each side of the collector inboard of and parallel to a sidewall of the collector, the screened wall extending vertically from the floor to the roof of collector and from the forward wall to the rear wall of the collector.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 whereby said screened wall is formed by a lower wall section of solid construction and an upper wall section of a screen mesh.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 whereby said upper wall section comprises approximately two-thirds of the height of the screened wall from the floor to the solid roof of the collector.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the airstream entraining the fine debris particulate from the second volume is exhausted through a plurality of openings in the floor of the collector, directing the airstream downward beneath the collector.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the airstream exhausted downward beneath the collector impinges on the ground below, resulting preferentially in dropout of the fine debris particulate on the ground below and immediately around the collector.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the debris consists substantially of leaves and the screen mesh is sized to preferentially filter leaf sections.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least one of a particulate collection device for fine debris particulate is operatively attached to the openings for exhaust in one of the floor and sides of the second volume of the collector.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least one particulate collection device is removably attached to the collector for at least one of emptying, restoration, maintenance and replacement.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the at least one particulate collection device is removably attached by one of bolting, screwing, zippering, and hanging.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 whereby the at least one particulate collection device comprises at least one dust bag that accepts impingement of the exhausted airstream from the plurality of openings in the floor of collector, redirects said airstream such that the fine debris particulate in the airstream preferentially collects by gravity and impingement within said at least one dust bag, and exhausts said airstream to the ground surrounding said collector.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 whereby the fine debris particulate comprises substantially fine leaf particulate and the screen mesh is sized to preferentially filter leaf sections.
 16. Apparatus for collection of debris comprising: a vacuum device; an airstream for carrying debris from the vacuum device; a tank of fluid; at least one inlet for injecting a fluid from said tank of fluid onto said debris within the airstream; and a collector operatively attached to receive said airstream.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 whereby the at least one nozzle is disposed to discharge said fluid into a discharge device disposed between the vacuum device and the collector.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 whereby a plurality of inlets are disposed around the periphery of the discharge device.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 whereby said fluid comprises water or other dust suppression liquid.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 whereby the debris substantially comprises leaves.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 whereby the plurality of inlets disposed around the periphery of the discharge chute inject a water spray wetting a fine leaf particulate thereby weighting said fine leaf particulate and thereby promoting the collection by gravity of the wetted fine leaf particulate in the collector.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 which includes a fluid system for injecting water or other dust suppressant through the plurality of inlets comprising: at least one of hosing and conduit connecting said tank of fluid and said plurality of inlets; a pumping device; pumping controls; and a power source for said pump device and said pumping controls.
 23. Apparatus for the collection of leaves and fine leaf particulate comprising: a vacuum device for vacuuming said leaves into an airstream; a collector operatively attached to the vacuum device through a discharge chute; a fluid injection system for wetting the leaves and fine leaf particulate within said discharge chute; a filter separating the collector into a first volume and a second volume; two screened walls forming said filter wherein each screened wall is located parallel to and inboard a sidewall of the collector and further each screened wall runs vertically from the floor to the solid roof and horizontally from the forward wall to the rear wall; a lower wall section of solid construction comprising approximately the lower one-third of the screened wall; an upper wall section of screen mesh comprising the upper two-thirds of the screened wall; and a plurality of openings in the floor of the collector beneath the second volume.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising at least one dust bag that accepts impingement of the exhausted airstream from the plurality of openings in the floor of the collector, directs said airstream such that the fine leaf particulate in the airstream preferentially collects by gravity and impingement within said at least one dust bag, and exhausts said airstream to the ground surrounding said collector.
 25. A method for collection of debris comprising: partitioning, with a filter, a collector into a first volume and a second volume; vacuuming the debris with a vacuum device into an airstream; discharging the airstream containing the debris into the first volume of the collector; collecting the debris due to gravity and impingement within the first volume of the collector; filtering the debris from the airstream with the filter further causing the debris to collect within the first volume of the collector; and exhausting the filtered air stream through at least one opening in a side or bottom surface of the second volume.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of partitioning includes the step of constructing two screened walls forming said filter wherein each screened wall is located parallel to and inboard a sidewall of the collector.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of constructing further includes the step of locating each screened wall to run vertically from the floor to the solid roof and horizontally from the forward wall to the rear hinged wall of the collector;
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of construction includes the step of apportioning the size of each screened wall such that the lower wall section comprises approximately the lower one-third of the screened wall and the upper wall section of screen mesh comprises approximately the upper two-thirds of the screened wall.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of exhausting the filtered airstream includes discharging through a plurality of openings in the floor of said collector such that the airstream is directed downward to the ground beneath the collector where impingement of the fine leaf particulate with the ground results preferentially in dropout of the fine leaf particulate in the ground below and immediately around the collector.
 30. A method for containing the residual debris of a filtered air stream from a collector comprising: locating at least one exhaust path from the collector on least one of the floor or side of the collector to direct said filtered air stream to a particulate collection device for the residual debris; positioning a removably attachable particulate collection device proximate to said exhaust path from the collector; collecting said residual debris in said particulate collection device during intake and collection of said debris; and emptying and replacing said containment device when full with said residual debris.
 31. A method for collection of debris comprising: vacuuming the debris with a vacuum device into an airstream; storing a fluid in a tank; injecting the fluid from said tank to wet a fine particulate debris within the airstream; discharging said debris into a collector; collecting said debris within said collector; and further collecting said fine particulate debris by gravity and by impingement within said collector. 